THE MINDERS
Original language title: [same]

Country of production: UK
Year: 1998
Language: English, Arabic
50 mins.

Baghdad, and the pressure is intense. Hundreds of journalists are in town to cover the war. Sean McAllister is one of them. But instead of focusing on the talking heads, the official monuments, and the staged demonstrations, McAllister focuses on two "minders." Minders are assigned by the Iraqi Ministry of Information to patrol what foreigners see and do not see. Alla is a veteran minder, with 17 years experience under his belt. He is carefree and somewhat comical, a ladies man who has traveled internationally and keeps pictures of his many special lady friends. Kifah has been brought in just for the current crisis. He is obsessed with English soccer, and dreams of having a pint in London. His world is in a state of disrepair, especially since the Gulf War. These two contrasting portraits offer a rare and unusual look beyond the talking heads, at two Iraqi men and the world beyond them.

Director: Sean McAllister
Cinematography: Sean McAllister
Editing: Oliver Huddleston
Producer: Ben Barker
Production Company: BBC
Source:
Sean McAllister
Tenfoot Films
87 Athlone Rd.
London, UK
sean.mcallister@virgin.net

Saturday, March 22
7pm
Facets Cinematheque
Screening with Hull's Angel

Sunday, March 30
1pm
Gallery Theatre
Screening with HULL'S ANGEL

FILMS ABOUT IRAQ